Idea: split up your files

[BLiNNeMaNS]

As titles and mods get bigger and bigger, it might be wise to pre-plan your projects a bit.


If your title is for online use only, instead of packing all items of your title in a big file, seperate the p2p (.loc) content from the final build and only embed the bare necessities..
In other words: embed low quality textures and modelskins and load the HQ versions and skinvariations from .loc files.
(embed the models/blocks of course, but with basic low quality skins)


And maybe also re-use the same custom made textures for multiple blocks

[TMarc]

In other words: players with low video settings don't need to download the large HiRes stuff before being able to play?
Good point

[BLiNNeMaNS]

well, yes and no..
for a full experience atmospheric .mux.loc etc has to be downloaded seperately ^^
Also selectable forced custom playerskins (if any) shouldn't be available as the same model can be used as a base.

[zarexz]

Isn't that what titles are for? Packing everything together so you don't have to worry about hosting stuff?

[BLiNNeMaNS]

Isn't that what titles are for? Packing everything together so you don't have to worry about hosting stuff?

Pff, another "yes and no" from me.
Doing it like this your player/builder/serverhosting base will only need to download major updates which will make it more accessible for your playerbase.

[zarexz]

Maybe I have a bit of a narrow view but I think one shouldn't release titles if they arn't 110% ready, checked and dubble checked. That way no updates will be needed.

[BLiNNeMaNS]

Maybe I have a bit of a narrow view but I think one shouldn't release titles if they arn't 110% ready, checked and dubble checked. That way no updates will be needed.

If you're just adding a new gamemode with some custom objects that would maybe count, however, as long as new features/fixes are added to the game by nadeo, title fixes are needed too sometimes..

Actually new features keep any gamemode fun, so updating a title and adding new content/scripting yourself is almost necessary if you want your title to be played longer than a few months.


example: say you're building a solo mode - mario bros 1st person with a multiplayer online bossfight to be able to continue the storyline.

every so often you want to add a new challenge, a new boss.. that boss needs scripting/be added to scoring system, thus the title has to be updated. Same goes for minigames etc etc.



to keep updating to the minimum, embed your .loc content in those bossfights and the player will have the files ready when they continue the solo campaign. (preloading tip)

[zarexz]

My view on this is verry narrow indeed. When I think of a title, I only see a solo mode with a set of tracks nicely fitted together with maybe a couple of mods and some fancy 3D objects. Never thought about the fact a title could be a whole new game(mode) aswell.

Never the less, I still think hosting the hi-res stuff is the wrong way arround.

[BLiNNeMaNS]

well, if i recall correctly there is an option to host a mod on maniaplanet. Which means you can host the mod with high res textures separately
However, i can't find the option to host mods/models anymore. Menu may have gotten lost in a maniaplanet update